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White House signals turn toward Democrats for next legislative hurdle

The Trump administration has voiced willingness to work with "moderate Democrats" after a defeat on health care. Democratic leaders have urged the White House to reject conservative hard-liners if it wants their support.

After a major defeat on US health care legislation, the White House has raised the prospect of working with moderate Democrats on future legislation, including tax reform.

White House chief of staff Reince Priebus on Sunday told Fox News that US President Donald Trump felt disappointed by a "number of people he thought were loyal to him that weren't" after legislation to replace the Affordable Health Care Act was pulled ahead of a vote.

House Speaker Paul Ryan had withdrawn the bill after failing to gain enough votes for it to pass. Republican lawmakers and White House officials blamed some 30 lawmakers of the hard-line Freedom Caucus for the legislation's failure, along with Democrats.

"I think it's more or less a warning that we're willing to talk to anyone. We always have been, and I think more so now than ever," Priebus said.

"I think it's time for our folks to come together, and I also think it's time to potentially get a few moderate Democrats on board as well," he added.

Using his preferred social media platform, Trump accused the Freedom Caucus of undermining White House-backed legislation.

"Democrats are smiling in DC that the Freedom Caucus, with the help of Club for Growth and Heritage, have saved Planned Parenthood and (Obamacare)," he wrote in a tweet, referring to two conservative groups.

Both sides of the aisle?

Mark Meadows, a Republican lawmaker and chairman of the Freedom Caucus, said he regretted not spending more time with moderate Republicans and Democrats in order "to find some consensus."

Meadows added that he now hopes to work with both sides of the aisle to deliver Trump the votes required for his legislative agenda.

Trump intended to offset tax cuts with anticipated savings from the health care bill. The bill's failure is likely to dampen efforts to invest $1 trillion (920 billion euros) on roads and infrastructure. Trump campaigned on making significant investments in bolstering basic US infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called on Trump to reject the Freedom Caucus and start working with Democratic lawmakers.

"If he changes, he could have a different presidency," Schumer told American broadcaster ABC. "He's going to have to tell them he can't work with (the Freedom Caucus), and we'll certainly look at his proposals. But it's going to be guided on our values."

Trump: Mogul, populist, president

The family, the empire

Surrounded by the ones he loves, Donald Trump with his wife, Melania, daughters Ivanka and Tiffany, his sons Eric and Donald, Jr., and grandchildren Kai and Donald John III. His three eldest children are senior vice presidents in the Trump organization.

Trump: Mogul, populist, president

From millionaire to billionaire

This picture from 1984 shows Trump opening Harrah's at Trump Plaza, a casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It's one of the investments that helped turn Trump, already a millionaire thanks to cash from his father, into a billionaire.

Trump: Mogul, populist, president

Off to a good start

Trump inherited the money he used to launch his real estate empire from his father, Frederick. He gave his son a million dollars to start and then, upon his death, left Donald and his three siblings $400 million.

Trump: Mogul, populist, president

What's in a name? Billions.

Donald Trump aggressively invested the money and experienced the market's highs and lows. Long-term success came thanks to Trump Tower in New York City. Trump has said he's worth some $10 billion, but he has not released financial information to prove the claim. Experts estimate he's worth about a third of that.

Trump: Mogul, populist, president

"Very good, very smart"

That's what Trump had to say about himself. He studied at the renowned Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a bachelor's degree.

Trump: Mogul, populist, president

Captain Trump

Before college, Trump was sent to a military academy at the age of 13 to learn discipline. By the time he graduated, he had earned an officer's rank at the academy. During his campaign for president, he said he enjoyed the school's structure and military culture.

Trump: Mogul, populist, president

Heel spurs instead of Vietnam

Despite the military education, Trump did not serve in the Vietnam War. He received four deferments while studying and a fifth for bone spurs in his heels. Trump will be the first US president to enter the White House without having previously served in a public office or the military.

Trump: Mogul, populist, president

Wife number one: Ivana

In 1977, Trump married Ivana Zelnuickova of what was then Czechoslovakia. The pair had three children together, Donald John, Jr., Ivanka Marie and Eric Fredrick. The marriage, however, was plagued with rumors of extra-marital affairs and ended in 1990. Ivana was the one who created Trump's nickname "The Donald."

Trump: Mogul, populist, president

Family number two

Trump later married his second wife, Marla Maples. Maples gave birth to their daughter Tiffany in 1993.

Trump: Mogul, populist, president

Girls, girls, girls

Trump seemed to enjoy being photographed with women other than his wife by his side. He often visited beauty pageants and posed with young models. From 1996 to 2015, he owned part of all the Miss Universe pageants. Trump would later come under fire for an audio recording of him saying his fame allowed him to grope women without fearing consequences.​

Trump: Mogul, populist, president

The Art of the Deal

How do you make a quick million? Trump's best-seller "The Art of the Deal," which was part autobiography, part instruction manual for ambitious businessmen, tried to show readers the way. Already well-known, the book solidified Trump's spot in the public spotlight.

Trump: Mogul, populist, president

Mixing business and entertainment

Like no other, Trump knew how to grab the public's attention, as seen here in a show for "World Wrestling Entertainment." His unique blend of business and entertainment acumen met in the reality TV show "The Apprentice" where candidates were hired and fired. Trump's favorite line from the show: "You're fired!"

Trump: Mogul, populist, president

Trump's move into politics

Though he had previously had very little contact with governing or politics, Trump announced his presidential candidacy on July 16, 2015. He used "Make America Great Again" as a political slogan and during his election campaign insulted immigrants, Muslims, women and everyone running against him.

Trump: Mogul, populist, president

Off to Washington

Whether the showman morphs into a statesman will be seen over Trump's four years in the White House. Views are split as he prepares to take office. But if his life so far is anything to go by, there is no telling what will be next.